Potential Zambian tourism Presentation April 28 th, 2016 Edjan van der Heide

Intro What is tourism – Overnight visitors International tourism: from other countries Domestic tourism: from within the country Business travel is included Current status of tourism in Zambia – Stable but stays behind growth region – Huge potential waiting to come out

Why is tourism important Diversification of economy Important foreign exchange earner Tourism is an important creator of jobs Brings (in Safari tourism) jobs to rural areas Industry with big trickle down effect – Income tourism stays in Zambia Tourism catalyst for other industries – Countries rarely visited are not popular for investment

World tourism in key figures 9% of GDP worldwide comes from tourism 1 out 11 of jobs worldwide in tourism Total revenue in 2014 USD – billion dollar – 3 times revenue 1995 Number of international tourist – million – 2 times number of tourists compared to 1995 Around 5 billion domestic tourists a year Tourism will continue to grow fast in the coming 20 years

Position tourism in Zambia Comparison neighboring countries: – Namibia: 1.3 x more tourists, 3 x more revenue – Botswana: 2x more visitors, 5 x more revenue – Zimbabwe: 2 x more visitors, 5 x more revenue – Tanzania: 1.2 x more tourists, 10 x more revenue Conclusion: – Zambia does not perform well on visitor numbers – Zambia performs very poorly on revenue per visitor

Reasons poor performance tourism Zambia Zambia is not well known as tourism destination (other countries much better known) Average stay of tourists in Zambia is very short compared to competing countries Tourism season in Zambia is very seasonal – Poor infrastructure at tourism attractions, when the rains start most roads in National Parks close Zambia is an expensive country for tourists – Costs of doing business much higher compared to competing countries

Does Zambia have more potential for tourism? Yes!!!! Zambia has lots to offer to tourists – Victoria Falls – Spectacular National Parks and Rivers – Very friendly people Zambia can be a top destination for Eco tourism – Nature based – Sustainable – Community involvement

Barriers for development tourism Underfunded Park Management – Natural resources are not well protected Underfunded Tourism Board (3 to 5 times lower compared to surrounding countries) Poor infrastructure at tourist attractions – Very seasonal because of road networks in National Parks Very expensive to do business Investment in tourism in Zambia generally not profitable – Major investors in Zambian tourism reduce operations – Highest taxes on tourism in region – Highest tax of all industries in Zambia

Way forward Invest in Tourism Board, Park Management and Tourism Infrastructure Make Zambia attractive for investors in tourism – Lowering taxes in tourism to attract investors Reduce costs of doing business to attract more tourists Create a bigger revenue base by growing the tourism industry

Rewards to invest in tourism for Government Part of one of the fastest growing industries worldwide – Will keep growing for coming 50 years Revenues tourism worldwide are growing fast Enormous employment potential You can sell the same product endlessly!!!!!

Comparing attractiveness tourism to agriculture Tourism 16% VAT on tourism 35% tax on profit 10% service levy Introduction tourism levy High wages No subsidies Agriculture No VAT 10% tax on profit No service levy No agriculture levy Lower wages Subsidies on certain inputs Would you invest in tourism or agriculture? Make it both!!!!

Outlook tourism Huge potential which can be utilized relatively quickly Zambia has everything it takes within its borders